Lulu Cooley is minyma ulkumunu, a senior Aboriginal woman. She is a consummate carver of many years experience specialising in piti and wira, traditional bowls, as well as walka boards. Lulu remembers learning her carving skills from her mother and other female relatives in the 1960s. Long and close observation and practice has led to her beautiful, distinctive ‘scallop’ style.

Lulu and husband Billy Cooley, snake carver extraordinaire, have always worked closely together, raising their six children and making spectacular carvings on their home land, Ulaipa near Amata on the APY Lands of South Australia. They have been long term directors of Maruku, working closely with management for decades. In recent years the couple have spent extended time based at Mutitjulu and have participated in many exhibitions and carving demonstrations at Uluru as well as nationally and overseas. Lulu and Billy now take great pride in passing on their skills not only to their children but grandchildren as well.